Giving a speech is important – otherwise why do it? So of course you should take the time to write it, book in more time to practice it and give your speech time to bake in your head. Then reality intervenes and messes it all up! So for all those speechwriters and speechmakers who are put on the spot at short notice and the others (very stern look in your direction because I have obviously never been in your shoes!) too lazy to prepare.
- Do you want to inform or persuade? What must you achieve? What defines success?
- If you want to persuade, compare the current with your vision of the future. Use “we”.
- Use fresh examples and metaphors. Avoid those with lost meaning. Speak as you would to a friend.
- Use short sentences and words. Max 15 words per sentence and 2 syllables per word.
- Narrow your message to 3 key themes. They won’t remember more anyway.
- Identify and repeat the words that summarise your message.
- Never speak for more than 20 minutes. 5 is better. 3 even better.
- Speak slowly and confidently. Breathe slowly and deeply from your belt buckle. Stand up straight and smile.